San Diego Public Safety Committee Meeting - March 20, 2024

The Public Safety Committee of the San Diego City Council met on March 20, 2024, at 10:00 AM. The meeting was chaired by Councilmember Von Wilpert and included committee members Campbell, Whitburn, and Vice Chair Campio (participating remotely due to childcare needs). The committee approved prior meeting minutes, heard non-agenda public comment, and considered four agenda items: an update from the Commission on Police Practices (CPP), amendments to buffer zone ordinances for healthcare facilities, places of worship, and school grounds, an update on the emergency medical services (EMS) alliance model, and a presentation on the City Attorney’s criminal case management system. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• The committee approved the minutes of the February 14, 2024, meeting by a vote of 4-0. Public comment was received on the minutes, with speakers raising concerns about cybersecurity and the use of Chinese-made technology in police surveillance.

Public Comments & Testimony

Non-Agenda Public Comment: Several residents spoke on a variety of topics:

• Terry Best, a District 3 resident, urged the committee to support a cannabis social equity program, stating that Mayor Todd Gloria’s inaction has stalled progress.
• Charles Alexander, representing Mount Hope, highlighted the lack of youth programs and recreational facilities in his community, calling for fairness in social equity initiatives.
• Other speakers discussed the dangers of high-THC cannabis products, the failure of social equity licensing programs, and the need for a task force to study marijuana and hemp impacts. One speaker expressed concerns about border security and its effect on public safety, while another requested a report on police overtime spent in Southeast San Diego after the January floods.

Public Comment on Agenda Items:

• Item 3 (CPP Update): Speakers emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, with one resident asking for a status update on CPP recommendations to SDPD. Another speaker urged the commission to consider the stress on police officers and to approach oversight with compassion.
• Item 1 (Buffer Zones): Testimony was divided. Several speakers, including representatives from Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest and a volunteer escort, described incidents of harassment, blocked driveways, and threats at healthcare facilities. They urged passage of the ordinance. Opponents, including a site leader for 40 Days for Life and a community member, argued the amendments would infringe on free speech and were unconstitutionally vague. The San Diego LGBT Community Center voiced support.
• Item 2 (EMS Update): Public comment focused on the cost of ambulance services and the need for financial assistance for vulnerable populations. A representative from Falck (the ambulance provider) expressed gratitude for the collaboration and noted that Falck has consistently met service hour requirements.
• Item 4 (Case Management System): One speaker thanked the city attorney’s office for the presentation and stressed the importance of protecting victim data and cybersecurity. Another speaker raised concerns about data centralization leading to a social credit system.

Discussion Items

Item 3 – Commission on Police Practices (CPP) Update:

• Chair Gloria Tran presented an update on the CPP’s work since September 2023. The commission has reviewed 24 category-one cases (excessive force, discrimination, etc.) and audited four category-two cases. It has adopted bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy, held a community hearing on police pursuits on March 6, 2024 (prompted by the crash that killed two children), and plans additional hearings on Fourth Amendment waivers, pretext stops, the special operations unit, and de-escalation. The CPP is also working with the City Council on an ad hoc committee to recruit a permanent executive director (applications close March 31). Committee members expressed support, with Councilmember Von Wilpert noting the complexity of police pursuit policies and Councilmember Campio emphasizing that fleeing suspects, not police, create the danger.

Item 1 – Buffer Zone Ordinance Amendments:

• City Attorney Mara Elliott and Senior Chief Deputy City Attorney Heather Ferbert presented the proposed amendments to San Diego Municipal Code sections 52.1001 and 52.1002. The current 1997 ordinance requires demonstrators to stay 15 feet away from a person entering a covered facility only if that person asks. The amendments would shift the burden: demonstrators within 100 feet of a healthcare facility, place of worship, or school ground would be prohibited from knowingly approaching within 8 feet of a person seeking entry/exit unless consent is obtained. The proposal also prohibits blocking entrances, exits, and parking lots, expands the definition of harassment and intimidation, increases the civil penalty from $1,000 to $2,500, and allows facilities to bring a private right of action on behalf of individuals. The committee voted 4-0 to forward the ordinance to the full City Council. Councilmembers emphasized the balance between First Amendment rights and safety, with Councilmember Whitburn noting that 70% of Planned Parenthood staff reported patients feeling intimidated.

Item 2 – Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Update:

• Assistant Fire Chief David Garboth, Deputy Fire Chief Jody Pierce, and Battalion Chief Rebecca Newell provided an update on the city’s EMS alliance model (Falck and AMR pilot). Key metrics from the second quarter (October-December 2023) showed a 9.6% increase in daily transports in October, a 1.4% increase in November, and an 8.8% increase in December compared to the same months in 2022. The system added 5,862 more unit hours year-over-year, and task time decreased by 4% (10-minute reduction per ambulance assignment). For the first time since November 2021, all emergency response zones met compliance in November 2023. Falck staffed an average of 780 ALS unit hours per day plus additional hours to cover BLS deficiencies. The city is working with Whitman Partners to validate billing and reimbursement. Committee members praised the progress and inquired about the billing process and hospital wait times; the fire chief noted that additional units have helped mitigate delays.

Item 4 – City Attorney’s Criminal Case Management System (CMS):

• Assistant City Attorney Paige Fulkman, Senior Chief Deputy City Attorney Haley Hernandez, and Deputy City Attorney Eric Pooch presented an informational item on the need to replace the current CMS, which has been shared with the District Attorney’s office since 2009. The system is aging and lacks features for e-discovery, digital evidence management, and compliance with new state laws (e.g., AB 2418 on data transparency, AB 2778 on race-blind charging). The District Attorney plans to terminate support for the legacy system, and the City Attorney’s office is exploring either joining the DA’s procurement process or independently procuring a new system. Estimated cost is $3–5 million. Committee members stressed the importance of this investment for efficient prosecution and public safety, and noted that funding will need to be addressed in the FY25 budget.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Minutes: Approved unanimously (4-0).
• Vote on Buffer Zone Amendments (Item 1): Motion to approve and forward to City Council passed unanimously (4-0).
• Informational Items: Items 2, 3, and 4 were received as information only; no votes were taken.
• Next Steps: The CPP will continue its work on police pursuits and other policy reviews. The City Attorney’s office will work with the District Attorney and seek funding for a new case management system. The next Public Safety Committee meeting is scheduled for April 25, 2024, at 9:00 AM.